After so many announcements and years and years of postponed studies, the Ministry of Defense and the Colombian Aerospace Force have finally signed the contract for the acquisition of the new fighter jet that will replace the Kfir aircraft in the defense of Colombian airspace. The contract, valued at $4.4 billion, covers the purchase of 17 JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighters, along with the necessary equipment for their operation and maintenance. In addition, existing military bases will be upgraded to support the operation of these aircraft.
The contract comes after multiple delays and questions regarding the increase in the unit cost of each aircraft. Initially, the price per jet was offered between $110 and $120 million, but the final cost per unit will be around $250 million.
The excessive increase in cost, coupled with a lack of transparency regarding what is included in the package from the Swedish manufacturer, has led experts to question whether Saab’s proposal was truly the best choice.
By doing the math, it seems that the major advantage of the JAS 39—its economy and lower operating, maintenance, and sustainment costs—has vanished compared to the $170 million per unit offered by the United States for the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Despite this, the new purchase represents a milestone in Colombian combat aviation, providing one of the most modern aircraft in the region, capable of facing any adversary in Latin American skies. It is expected that the contract includes the sale of all-purpose missiles and that the established deadlines will be met: the first aircraft should arrive in 2027, and the entire fleet by 2032, which is also when full payment of the contract is forecasted.
Photographs are for illustrative purposes only.
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